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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






2. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






3. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






4. A dirge - hymn - or musical service for the repose of the dead.






5. Rapid alternation between notes that are a half tone or whole tone apart.






6. Dull - monotonous tone such as a humming or buzzing sound. Also a bass note held under a melody.






7. Slow and stately dance music written in triple time.






8. The opening section of a piece of music or movement.






9. A 17th century dance written in Quadruple time - always beginning on the third beat of the measure.






10. A reprise.






11. A sequence of chords that brings an end to a phrase - either in the middle or the end of a composition.






12. A hymn sung by the choir and congregation often in unison.






13. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






14. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






15. A short light musical drama.






16. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






17. The first section of a movement written in sonata form - introducing the melodies and themes.






18. Pertains to tone or tones.






19. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






20. A Boroque dance with a drone-bass.






21. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






22. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






23. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






24. A set of five musicians who perform a composition written for five parts.






25. The manner in which tones are produced with regard to pitch.






26. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






27. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






28. The raising and lowering a pitch of an instrument to produce the correct tone of a note.






29. A direction to play lively and fast.






30. First developed in the 8th century - methods of writing music.






31. A composition whose style is simple and idyllic; suggestive of rural scenes.






32. To hold a tone or rest held beyond the written value at the discretion of the performer.






33. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






34. Sliding between two notes.






35. A musical composition that has a romantic or dreamy character with nocturnal associations.






36. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






37. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






38. A set of four musicians who perform a composition written for four parts.






39. A composition written for nine instruments.






40. Indicating speed.






41. Tones used to embellish the principal melodic tone.






42. A group singing in unison.






43. When several strings are tuned to harmonically related pitches - all strings vibrate when only one of the strings is struck.






44. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






45. A musical composition written solely to improve technique. Often performed for artistic interest.






46. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






47. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






48. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






49. Group of singers in a chorus.






50. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






Can you answer 50 questions in 15 minutes?



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